Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 33% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2021 | 11 | 50% | — |
| 2017 | 2 | 15% | 45,000 miles |
| 2014 | 3 | 18% | 27,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 15% | 98,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 19% | 98,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 6% | 67,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 13% | 88,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 22% | 61,000 miles |
| 2008 | 4 | 10% | 60,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 17% | 185,000 miles |
| 2006 | 16 | 30% | 50,000 miles |
| 2005 | 21 | 38% | 30,000 miles |
| 2004 | 13 | 28% | 52,000 miles |
| 2003 | 10 | 22% | 102,000 miles |
| 2002 | 20 | 38% | 96,000 miles |
| 2001 | 17 | 33% | 133,000 miles |
| 2000 | 8 | 14% | 174,000 miles |
| 1999 | 13 | 18% | 139,000 miles |
| 1998 | 9 | 14% | 116,000 miles |
| 1997 | 15 | 19% | 109,000 miles |
| 1996 | 4 | 8% | 109,000 miles |
| 1995 | 4 | 6% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2021 FORD E-350. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V795000 (ENGINE) however, the dealer informed the contact that only one part of the remedy, mentioned on the manufacturer's website, was available and not the other. The contact received the reprogramming (UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CALIBRATION) mentioned on the Ford website but not the other portion of the repair mentioned on the website (INSTALL ENGINE COVER INSULATION PATCHES IN THE RIGHT HAND AND LEFT HAND INNER LOWER CORNERS OF THE ENGINE COVE). The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and that when they looked up the recall on the NHTSA website stated that there was no recall repair available at all. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. …
Engine failure at 78,172, excess wear to the camshaft lobes and valve tappet surface. We have had 22 failures. There was a recall -24B27 for 2021 and 2022 models year for idle oil pressure. Most vans had 70 to 80k on them by the time we received a letter. Some engine have been changed twice. Ford has a serious problem and is not acknowledging it. Please help! Montachusett Regional Transit Authority , Fitchburg MA 01420
Carvana is attempting to sell this vehicle in Lehi, Utah. After speaking with the Ford dealership that worked on it for an "internal transmission repair" they told me the the vehicle's engine is bad (full long block replacement is recommended and the dealership told me it's dangerous) and needs a new engine. The previous owner was told this and then turned around and sold it to Carvana. I told Carvana this and they did nothing about it and it is still for sale. Please protect anyone looking to purchase this vehicle as it is not safe.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Ford e-350. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact smelled a burning odor coming from the engine when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The engine warning light illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 27,280.
Tl* the contact called on behalf of her brother who owns a 2012 Ford e-350. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for a routine check at (sayville Ford 5686 sunrise hwy, sayville, ny 11782 [phone]), it was discovered and the valve cover gasket was defective and needed to be replaced. There was however no leaks evident while performing the inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,940.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford e-350. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle began to make an abnormal noise coming from the engine. The failure recurred several times. The dealer stated that the fuel was bad. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,000.
When there is any dew or moisture of any kind on the road the truck wont stop without the front breaks locking up and wont stop, Also the spark plugs have blown out of the motor prior to this it starts to develop A misfire, And The rear sustention is so weak the rear of the truck drags the ground when there is A low spot or dup in the road and has worn the metal off the bottom of the tow hitch making it unsafe and useless
Ford trucks 2008-10 are known to have turbo, emission and radiator problems. Causing the vehicles to stop running. They have a pipe before turbos that burns on the inside causing it not to clean out. We take good care of our vehicles, we do oil changes every 4000 miles, we change tires and keep everything clean and up to date. We did not run this vehicle hard. It was under warranty the first time we had trouble. In 2013 the vehicle was running at 28,000 miles and quit. It was suggested by Ford to clear emission. Turbos went out totally at 53,000 miles cost of $6700. Then at another 900 miles at 53900 it stopped again. The vehicle spent 2 and a half months in the shop before it would run again. They said the pipe before turbos burnt from inside making turbos quit. We got it out our cost $2300. They wrote off $2500 they said. Next day the radiator was cracked on the seam. …
Related recalls (3)
Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles that received an incomplete software update under recall 20V795. The engine cover may become excessively hot.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain calibration for heat management under elevated idle conditions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2026.
Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 E-350 and E-450 vehicles. The underside of the engine cover may have mispositioned insulation, allowing the cover to get excessively hot.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine cover for gaps between the rubber seal and the insulation. If gaps are present, the dealer will install engine cover insulation patches in the right hand and…
Engine and engine cooling
On certain vans, the air filter element material process resulted in an air filter paper element that can smolder or burn. This change in filter paper composition combined with the configuration of the air induction system, May allow hot carbon particles to contact the air filter element during certain driving conditions that…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the air filter element. The recall began September 27, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA investigations
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On September 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 Ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford E-350 years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (21), 2002 (20), 2001 (17), 2006 (16) and 1997 (15) model years. Engine complaints make up 38% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Ford E-350 engine problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 25V-793 (engine, Nov 17, 2025); 20V-795 (engine, Dec 17, 2020); 04V-445 (engine and engine cooling, Sep 13, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford E-350 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles; 29% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (32 mentions), followed by the engine › diesel (19).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.